This is because the booming and fast developing town with the volatile gas and oil industries as its mainstray, following by its woodbased industries and other petro- chemical industries, is sadly lacking in the specialist-based medical facilities.

     At the moment, what the Bintulu 25-year-old 126 bed hospital can offer to the 110,000 odd population are the general services with an operation theatre for minor operation.

     The more serious or major cases like first degree burns or other sever injuries sustained in industrial accidents will be sent either to Miri or Kuching.

      However, these cases are far and few in between mainly because of the stringent safety or security measures and procedures applied by the companies involved.

       Nevertheless, the rather long overdue needs for better medical facilities, together with the specialist will be a reality soon when a new RM1000 billion hospital is expected to be handing over to Health Ministry in coming month. 

       Ex-Health Minister Datuk Lee Kim Sai who officiated the ground breaking ceremony at the new divisional hospital site at KM12 Jalan Bukit Nyabau on December 3, 1993 said it would be fully-equiped with the most up-to-date facilities and services such as obsteric and gynaecology, paediatrics, internal medicine and general surgery.

       The new 298-bed Bintulu Hospital  located on a 40-heactare area adjacent to the Bintulu Science Teachers Training College (MPSB) campus, the hospital would serve the needs of the various accident cases currently not available besides enhancing Bintulu's status as one of the country's prime industrial centre.

        Meanwhile, the existing hospital will be turned into a polyclinic in line with the government's policy of having such medical institutions in the town centre and to serve for the rural folks along the Kemena River.

         Increasing staff especially doctors and nurses is believed will decreasing the current two to four hours waiting time to ideal half an hour period. 

         Presently an average of about 500 patients, mostly from rural areas or outstation are treated daily at the Bintulu Hospital with a doctor in attendance.

         An additional couple of doctors and specialitst will be a tremendous help in easing the situation.  At present, there are 260 staff including a Medical Administrative Officer, a surgeon, 11 medical officers.

         Nevertheless, there is no cause for worry since prior arrangements have been made with the other hospitals like Miri, Sibu, Kuching to provide the required expertise and necessary facilties during emergencies.

         In the meantime, the existing hospital along the Kemena River will continue to play its role since its construction in 1968 as a district hospital with an initial 26 beds and manned by a senior medical assistant.